Quest Journals Journal of Medical and Dental Science Research Volume 3 ~ Issue 1 (2016) pp:10-15 ISSN(Online) : 2394-076X ISSN (Print):2394-0751 www.questjournals.org *Corresponding Author: MugadzaGladys 1 10 | Page 1, 3,4 and 5 (University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Zimbabwe) Research Paper Female Condom: Knowledge, Perceptions and Practices among Female College Students MugadzaGladys 1 , Krumpen Petra 2 , ZvinavasheMatilda 3 , Ndaimani Augustine* 4 (corresponding author) Maxwell Mhlanga 5 1, 3,4 and 5 (University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Zimbabwe) 2 (Faculty of Health Sciences, Africa University, Zimbabwe) Received 08 January, 2016; Accepted 23January, 2016 © The author(s) 2015. Published with open access atwww.questjournals.org ABSTRACT:- While the female condom empowers females to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV & AIDS and unwanted pregnancy, its use has been, hitherto, low particularly in developing countries. The study sought to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices of female students concerning the female condom. A descriptive research design was used with a sample of 50 female students from Africa University who were recruited through systematic sampling.Data was collected using self- administered questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics in form of frequent tables, figures and content analysis. The study revealed that all the respondents had heard of the female condom and70%of the respondents felt that the female condom is useful. However, female condom usage was very low only 2(4%) of the respondents who had used condoms. Factors like male decision (72%) fear of retention of condom (38%), perception, religion, culture and gender impacted negatively on the use of the female condom. Logistical factors such as female condom distribution which affected availability and accessibility of the female condoms were also predictors of utilisation. Negative attitudes and perceptions towards the female condom by the male partners can be reduced by involving them in female condom awareness and education programmes. Female condom advocacy should be an integrated component of the overall behaviour change communication packages for HIV and AIDS. KEYWORDS:- College students, Female Condom, Knowledge, Perceptions, Practices I. INTRODUCTION While the condom was developed around 1642 (1;2) the female condom was approved in 1993 heralding a new era in empowerment of women in negotiating for safer sex (3-5). It is a contraceptive device used by women that protects against both pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV infection (6).Usage rates of female condoms are low throughout Sub-Saharan Africa(7-9). Zimbabwe introduced the female condom in 1997, but acceptance was slow(5).The major reasons cited for failure to use the method were unavailability, religion and partner refusal, females above 40 years of age (3-5;10) . Unplanned pregnancies, STIs and HIV/AIDS are consequences of unprotected sexual intercourse. In 2013 alone there were 2.1 million new HIV infections, 500 million STIs and 80 million unplanned pregnancies (11). The 27 billion condoms which were expected to be used in 2015 were expected to offer 225 million couple-years protection from unintended pregnancies (11). Sub- Sahara Africa remains the worst affected region in the world with over 25.8 million people in the Sub-Sahara region living with HIV infection. Globally, 36.9 million people are living with HIV & AIDS. Zimbabwe is the5 th highest in the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS worldwide. About 25% of people between 15- 49 years are HIV positive and 56% of these are women (12). Women are likely to be infected with HIV/AIDS more than men because of their sexual anatomical differences. Women are receivers and subjected to lacerations and bleeding during sexual intercourse, this enhances ample time for viral penetration. For socio-cultural reasons, young girls are forced into marriage. Their tender age subject them to vulnerability in contracting STI’s and HIV. The HIV prevalence for Zimbabwe is estimated to be 18% among females and 12% among men while the national combined prevalence was 15% (13). Women in Zimbabwe as in many African countries are often